New bus lane increases safety

Through a collaboration between the city and the Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Club was able to install a new bus lane in the span of a week.

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By Carmen Bourlon

The Shawnee News-Star

By Carmen Bourlon

Posted Nov. 25, 2012 at 6:00 AM

By Carmen Bourlon

Posted Nov. 25, 2012 at 6:00 AM

SHAWNEE

Through a collaboration between the city and the Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Club was able to install a new bus lane in the span of a week.

“It was a great example of public-private partnership,” Robert Slavens, chairman of the Salvation Army property committee.

The bus lane was planned for a while due to traffic concerns and wishes to increase safety for the children attending the Boys and Girls Club.

“When we loaded our bus, we had to be in the street, which tied up the intersection,” Slavens said.

Additionally, the children had to walk in the street to go inside, which raised some concerns.

With the bus lane, loading the bus is safer and more efficient for oncoming traffic.

The bus lane was completed in part by private contractors and city street department workers.

“They did an excellent job,” Slavens said. “Through working with them, we knew it was up to code and it was done the way they wanted it to be done.”

Volunteers helped as well, and several donations were made.

The concrete was donated by Van Eaton Ready Mix, the rebar, which reinforces the concrete was donated by Beauford White. Dominos donated lunch for the workers and McKey’s Bob Cat and Backhoe Service made donations as well, Slavens said.